Caritas Social Action Network appoints new CEO

Raymond Friel

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) has announced the appointment of Raymond Friel as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Dr Phil McCarthy who will retire from the role at the end of March 2021 after over five years.

Raymond Friel was born in Scotland and after graduating from Glasgow University, has spent most of his professional life in England. He started teaching in London in 1990 and was a head teacher in Catholic secondary schools from 2002 until 2016. He was then General Secretary of the Catholic Independent Schools Conference for two years before becoming CEO of Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust of 36 Catholic schools until 2020. He is a published poet and the author of several influential books on Catholic education, including How to Survive in Leadership in a Catholic School.

Bishop Terry Drainey, the Chair of CSAN said: "The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Raymond Friel as CEO. He has a wealth of leadership experience and expertise, a wide knowledge of the Church and a deep commitment to the Gospels. I look forward to working with him to further Catholic social action across England & Wales."

Sr Lynda Dearlove, Vice Chair of CSAN said: "CSAN has a crucial role animating and coordinating Catholic social action. The Board looks forward to working with Raymond to realizing Pope Francis' vision of a 'poor Church for the poor'."

Raymond Friel said: "I am delighted to be taking up this new challenge. I look forward to contributing to this important part of our Church's mission, which will be even more vital as our country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic."